Speed in the outfield gives teams the actual ability to cut down on an offense’s hitting percentages. Athletes in the outfield allow us to play our players much shallower than normal, cutting down the number of weakly hit balls for base hits that occur while not giving up long flies. Speed also comes in handy at limiting the number of extra base hits down the line and in the gaps by cutting off balls that slower, less athletic players would be unable to reach. Speed allows us to cover second and third base with outfielders on certain bunt coverages, freeing infielders up to charge and play all bunts and slaps. The most athletic player on the field in high school and college softball may well be the center fielder. No one on the field has as much ground to cover as she does.